Strikes by Ealing traffic wardens, including those in areas of Ealing closest to Harrow, such as Northolt and Greenford, are set to escalate next week over a dispute regarding union recognition, according to Unite, the UK’s leading union.
Approximately 40 parking services workers employed by council-owned Greener Ealing Ltd have been striking since late August. The dispute centers on their employer’s refusal to recognize their long-term union, Unite, for negotiations regarding pay and other work-related matters.
These workers were initially employed by Serco before being transferred to Greener Ealing Ltd earlier this year. Their roles differ significantly from the rest of Greener Ealing’s waste management workforce. As a distinct group, they are seeking recognition of Unite, which has represented them for over a decade, for collective bargaining.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is disgraceful that a Labour council is refusing to recognise these workers’ right to be represented by their long-term union. Councillors’ excuses that Greener Ealing is responsible for this dispute when it is completely owned by the council will not wash. Our members have been betrayed by Ealing’s elected politicians and Unite is supporting them 100 per cent in their strike action.”
Ealing MP Deirdre Costigan, who previously served as the deputy leader of Ealing council, had supported the workers in their campaign to end outsourcing before being elected to parliament. She had promised improved working conditions under council employment, but she is now declining to support the workers’ push for Unite’s recognition.
Similarly, Council leader Peter Mason, who met with Unite during the campaign to end outsourcing, is not addressing their requests for union recognition in negotiations with Greener Ealing.
The workers have expressed frustration over Ealing council’s decision to use agency labor during the strike, which they view as an attempt to undermine their industrial action. Temporary staff were hired before the strikes began, and at least four additional agency workers were brought in during the first round of strikes, a move that is potentially unlawful.
The initial strike lasted from 27 August to 18 September, while a second phase began on 7 October and will continue until 3 November. This strike is expected to cause significant disruption to on-street parking, including monitoring of residential streets requiring permits and council car parks. Further strike dates will be announced if the conflict remains unresolved.
Unite regional officer Lui D’Cunha said: “Ealing Council’s broken promises and dirty tricks have only strengthened our members’ resolve. This dispute will continue to escalate and strikes will not end until Greener Ealing our members’ chosen union is recognised.”
In response, a spokesperson for Ealing Council stated: “We are disappointed that Unite are leading on industrial action in our parking service. So far the impact has been minimal with very little disruption to normal services. We have put measures in place to ensure that residents aren’t impacted during industrial action and would advise drivers to follow restrictions as normal or they could face being issued with a penalty charge notice.”
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